Is This Tuffa Rock?

[baker360360]

Is this tuffa rock that I got from fish shop?

 

[fm1978]

Looks a bit like broken up concrete to me.
 
Tufa Rock should look like volcanic rock and be quite porous.

 

[baker360360]

Any way I can test it myself to see?
It looked a little man made to me too
This is a pic of tuffa rock on google looks alike

 

[fm1978]

Tufa rock should be limestoney so an acid test would tell you. If it was concrete I wouldn't expect a reaction from an acid test.

 

[baker360360]

Also the stuff I've got is light, that box full is 11 kg
Could I try Vinegar?

 

[fm1978]

It wouldn't do any harm but vinegar might be on the weak side of acidic.
 
Try it and see if it works, though!

 

[baker360360]

Will do let you know what happens thanks

 

[fm1978]

You know there's a difference between Tufa Rock and Tuff?
 
Which one of those was it sold to you as?

 

[baker360360]

It was spelt tuffa

Just done the vinegar test and it fizzes however I made up some mortar using cement and sand a few months ago for a job in the garden and that fizzes too, although it dose not look like my rocks so still not convinced

 

[fm1978]

It was spelt tuffa

Just done the vinegar test and it fizzes however I made up some mortar using cement and sand a few months ago for a job in the garden and that fizzes too, although it dose not look like my rocks so still not convinced

 
It looks much more like tuff (rather than tufa) which is also naturally occurring and volcanic in nature so it's probably right enough. Did you get it with the intention of it doing something to your water or just for aesthetics?

 

[baker360360]

To raise ph for cichlids
I was thinking to fill up a bucket then test ph and again at a later date to see if it raises but don't know how long it takes to affect the water
Also tried the vinegar on some cement on a brick and the difference is the cement quickly Disintegrate these rocks don't , do you know how tuff / tuffa should fill? If I scratch at it should it crumble or snap or be very strong?

 

[fm1978]

It should do OK, I think. 
 
Do your tests with it first and if it's not just quite as good at raising the ph as you thought, you could try sticking in some seashells or something like that.

 

[baker360360]

I bough a 5kg bag of 10mm coral sand that I am going to also but in a nylon sack and add it to my external filter to help raise ph my tap water has
Ph 6.8
Kh 180 ( slightly hard)
Gh between 250-500 can't place the colour of test on either lol must be colour blind

How long do you think I should wait to retest ?

 

[fm1978]

I would have thought you'd see a change fairly quickly...24 - 48 Hrs, maybe?

 

[baker360360]

Ok I'll test in 24 and 48 hrs

Many thanks again